Modelling social vulnerability in sub-Saharan West Africa using a geographical information system

Abstract

In recent times, disasters and risk management have gained significant attention, especially with increasing awareness of the risks and increasing impact of natural and other hazards especially in the developing world. Vulnerability, the potential for loss of life or property from disaster, has biophysical or social dimensions. Social vulnerability relates to societal attributes which has negative impacts on disaster outcomes. This study sought to develop a spatially explicit index of social vulnerability, thus addressing the dearth of research in this area in sub-Saharan Africa. Nineteen variables were identified covering various aspects. Descriptive analysis of these variables revealed high heterogeneity across the South West region of Nigeria for both the state and the local government areas (LGAs). Feature identification using correlation analysis identified six important variables. Factor analysis identified two dimensions, namely accessibility and socioeconomic conditions, from this subset. A social vulnerability index (SoVI) showed that Ondo and Ekiti have more vulnerable LGAs than other states in the region. About 50% of the LGAs in Osun and Ogun have a relatively low social vulnerability. Distribution of the SoVI shows that there are great differences within states as well as across regions. Scores of population density, disability and poverty have a high margin of error in relation to mean state scores. The study showed that with a geographical information system there are opportunities to model social vulnerability and monitor its evolution and dynamics across the continent.

Movement and risk perception: evidence from spatial analysis of mobile phone-based mobility during the COVID-19 lockdown, Nigeria

“…This category of households as well as the rural dwellers were least compliant to the measures (Carlitz and Makhura 2020 ). It is well established that vulnerability and extent of the impact of disaster or hazard are a function of location as well as the socio-economic circumstances of the people affected (Lawal and Arokoyu 2015 ).…”

Urban (un)planning and social vulnerability in the context of rapid urbanization and data constraints: a quantitative study of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“…are positive and significant at the 1% significance level. This is in line with the literature linking dimensions of accessibility (mobility), housing quality (quality of life), and socioeconomic status with social vulnerability in similarly associated patterns (Lawal & Arokoyu, 2015;Rufat et al, 2015). The strongest correlations for quality of life (QOL)…”

“…Wealthy households likely have better access to resources, including food, water, transportation, and education (Eriksen et al, 2008;Beyer et al, 2016;Rufat et al, 2015;Dodman et al, 2017;Lupala, 2002;Lawal & Arokoyu, 2015;Ebert et al, 2009). At the same time, not all poor populations are vulnerable to food insecurity (Bohle et al, 1994).…”

“…A household with a bank account indicates potentiality to secure a loan and considered to be less vulnerable than storing cash at home (Tipple, 2005). Similarly, a household with higher and education level usually indicates a higher level of economic status (Lawal & Arokoyu, 2015;Rufat et al, 2015). In terms of demographic variables, number of children under the age of 5, number of household members, gender of the head of household, and age of the head of the household were selected.…”

Análisis espacial de las condiciones de vulnerabilidad social, económica, física y ambiental en el territorio colombiano

“…Además, la vulnerabilidad está influenciada por inequidades relacionadas con el lugar, como las características físicas de las comunidades y el ambiente, tanto natural como construido (Cutter, Boruff y Shirley, 2003). De esta manera, los lugares y personas pueden ser vulnerables debido a sus atributos biofísicos (Cutter, 1996) o condiciones físicas que influencian sus pérdidas potenciales y su capacidad de recuperación (Lawal y Arokoyu, 2015). Con base en lo anterior, la vulnerabilidad es un proceso multidimensional y multicausal, ligado a nociones de fragilidad e indefensión, desamparo institucional, debilidad interna, inseguridad, degradación, pobreza y exclusión social (Busso, 2005), susceptible a ser clasificada o desagregada en factores que la condicionan, para ser expresada en diferentes niveles de análisis (Busso, 2001).…”